FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who are the Box Tops?
The Box Tops are a ground breaking 1960s group made up of five friends from Memphis
Tennessee who first charted in 1967 with a song called 'The Letter,' which like most
of their other songs from the 1960s was recorded at Chips Moman's "American" recording
studio and was produced by Dan Penn. In fact they were the first
Memphis artists to record in Memphis and have a number one record! During 1967-69, the
group released 4 albums (excluding their "Super Hits" album) and 10 singles. 'The
Letter' remained at the top of Billboard's chart for four weeks in 1967; their third single,
'Cry Like A Baby,' hit the number two position for two weeks in 1968. Both records
went gold at initial release, with 'The Letter' selling over four million copies and
'Cry Like A Baby' over two million.

The original members (Alex Chilton, Bill Cunningham, John Evans, Danny Smythe, and Gary
Talley) were members of a local band called The Devilles, but
changed the group name at the time of the release of 'The Letter,' because it was
discovered that other groups had released records under that name and member changes had
taken the group in new musical directions. "No American group since the Righteous Brothers
had looked whiter and sung blacker than the Box Tops on that sensational first single in 1967,
'The Letter.' Alex Chilton's voice had more Memphis grit than was considered
entirely proper for a white gentleman. But he learned to sing in Memphis, where lots of people sing that
way, and got his musicians from a town where musicians are pretty heavy whatever their
color."

By January 1968 the line up had changed. John Evans and Danny Smythe returned to
school and were replaced by Rick Allen (from the Gentrys) and Tom Boggs (from the Board
of Directors). This line up remained the same until Bill Cunningham left to return to school in
August 1969, although Jerry Riley substituted for Gary Talley at live performances in 1968 for
a couple of weeks while Gary was ill. Harold Cloud replaced Bill in September of 1969. During
the following months there were a number of group member changes, and in February 1970 the
group disbanded.

What instruments do they play?

Alex Chilton--lead vocal, guitar

Bill Cunningham--bass, keyboards, background vocal

John Evans--guitar, keyboards, background vocal

Danny Smythe--drums

Gary Talley--lead guitar, background vocal

What record company did they record for?
Originally the Box Tops recorded for Amy/Mala/Bell, a label out of New York City.
Their singles were released on Mala label; albums on Bell. The company later became Arista
and has licensed Warner Brothers records to release a Box Tops compilation CD. Separately, Arista
has issued recent Box Tops CDs in the United States and Europe.

What songs did they make popular?

The Letter

Neon Rainbow

Cry Like A Baby

Choo Choo Train

I met Her In Church

Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March

I Shall Be Released

Soul Deep

Turn On A Dream

You Keep Tightening Up On Me

Were the Box Tops ever nominated for a Grammy?
Yes, the Box Tops were nominated for two Grammys in 1967. The following are the
categories and the artists and songs in each. (By the way, the 5th Dimension's 'Up Up and
Away' won in both categories.)

Best Performance By AVocal Group

5th Dimension -- Up Up and Away

Association -- Never My Love

Beatles -- Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

Box Tops -- The Letter

Monkees -- I'm A Believer

Best Contemporary Group Performance, Vocal Or Instrumental

5th Dimension -- Up Up and Away

Association -- Windy

Beatles -- Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band

Box Tops -- The Letter

Monkees -- I'm A Believer

Procol Harum -- A Whiter Shade of Pale

Who were the session musicians on their various recordings?
Various members of American Studio's house band and Bobby Womack played on a
number of tracks. The Aldridge sisters and the Sweet Inspirations provided many of the female
background vocals; Dan Penn and John Christopher augmented the group's own background
vocals from time to time. Horn performances were primarily contributed by Wayne Jackson,
Jacky Thomas, Ed Logan, and Joe Arnold. Strings were played by Noel Gilbert, Robert Snyder,
Ann Snyder, and Peter Spurbeck. (Note: Members of The Box Tops in addition to Alex Chilton
participated in various Box Tops recordings both as group [without session musicians] and individually
[with session musicians].)

How did the Box Tops get their sound?
The Box Tops developed their sound from playing parties and clubs in the Memphis and
West Memphis area. Though British Invasion groups like the Beatles, the Kinks, and Them
had an influence on their musical style, the principal influence came directly from the Memphis
blues and R&B artists and to a lesser extent from the blues and rockabilly sounds that came out
of Sam Phillips' Sun records. Also, many in the group recognize Dewy Phillips (the crazed
Memphis DJ who played whatever he thought was good regardless of the style or ethnic background) as a
significant influence on the Box Tops' eclectic taste.

Are there any books about the group and its relation to Memphis music?
The follow books are highly recommended and present differing views on the Mid-South
music scene. Each is informative and entertaining...they are a "must read" on The Box Tops' reading list...
a great way to learn more about The Box Tops' home town and the music history of "America's deep-fried
music capital," Memphis.